Drill press



May 11, 1948. s. HOHWART ETAL 2,441,414

DRILL PRESS Filed Oct. 27, 1945- s Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN TOR5. 6 /146 fi zwarz;

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May 11, 1948. G. HOHWART' ET AL DRILL PRESS Filed Oct. 27,- 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A WMVA .5 ma H WW1? am ZW Z firs Md 32a 3 22 @7 4 a Patented May 11, 1948 DRILL PRESS George Hohwart, Ernest F. Hohwart, and Paul A.

Smith, Detroit, Mich, assignors to N. A. Woodworth Company, Ferndale, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application October 27, 1945, Serial No. 625,022

s oiaims. (01. 71-33) The invention relates broadly to machine tools and. more particularly to new and useful improvements in drill presses.

Prior to the instant invention it has been conventional practice to move the drill toward a workpiece by centrifugally operated mechanism. Although widely used and otherwise highly eflicient the centrifugally operated actuator mechanism is faulty in that excessive breakage of tools occurs at the end of the drilling operation. In tools of this character, the drill is advanced with considerable force and the shock or jolt which results when the drill breaks suddenly throug which the drill is automatically returned to the initial or starting position when the drilling operation is completed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a drill press of the above-mentioned character in which the speed at which the drill is rotated and advanced can be easily varied to meet the requirements of different types of materials and of different operations to be performed thereon.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a'drill press of the above-mentioned character in which advancement of the drill is controlled by a readily accessible manual actuator. A further object of the invention is to provide a drill press of the above-mentioned character in which the distance the drill is advanced can be controlled by a novel and readily accessible mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a drill press of the above-mentioned character in which predetermined and approxirnately constant pressures are exerted on the tool bythe centrifugally operated mechanism. A yet further-object of the invention is to proyide' anactuator mechanism that is inexpensive to manufacture, positive in operation and adapted for convenient utilization in all types of aufitomaticmachines in which it is, desired to advance' arotating tool to a. predetermined point "and-then: return the. tool to its initial position.

'2 Other objects and advantages or the invention will be. apparent during the course of the following description.

- In the drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a drill press embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side View, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the drilling head,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, transverse sectional View taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2,

' Fig. 4 is anenlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2,

Fig; 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view. taken-on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2,

Fig. '7 is'an enlarged view of the portion of Fig. 2 enclosed by the circle 1, parts thereof being broken away and shown in section for clearness of illustration, and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the portion of Fig. 2 enclosed by the circle 8, parts thereof being broken'away and shown in section to more clearly illustrate the mechanism.

Considered in certain of its broader aspects the invention comprises a drilling head mounted in the conventional manner on a suitable support or standard. The drilling head includes a rotatable and reciprocable spindle, means for rotatably driving the spindle, means for advancing or projecting the spindle at approximately a constant pressure and at a predetermined speed, and mechanism for limiting the distance the spindle is advanced.

The spindle preferably is rotatably driven by an electric motor and, in order to vary the speed at which the spindle is rotated, both the motor and the spindle are provided with step pulleys. Thismechanism provides a convenient means for rotatably driving the spindle at various predetermined speeds; however, any suitable means for rotating the spindle is contemplated and within the scope of the instant invention.

In the embodiment of the invention here shown the mechanism for advancing the spindle axially toward the workpiece comprises pivoted weights mounted in such a way that rotation of the spindle causes the weights to fly outwardly and exert projective pressure thereagainst. These weights preferably are adjustably mounted so thatthe axial pressure exerted on the spindle can be regulated. I V

'I'h e-rate at which the spindle is projected is controlled hydraulically by connecting the spindle to a piston and mounting the latter in a suitable oil chamber or cylinder. A valve controlled bypass is provided to establish communication between the ends of the cylinder at opposite sides of the piston and the valve is adjusted manually by a suitable actuator mounted on the spindle. By manipulating the actuator, the size of the valve opening can be varied to control the flow of fluid therethrough and, consequently, to control the rate at which the fluid is displaced across the piston. Since the spindle and piston are coaxial, the latter also controls the rate at which the spindle is projected. In practice, it is preferred that the spindle extend through the oil chamber and that the piston be attached directly thereto since this construction is simple yet rugged and highly efiioient in operation. I v p H It will be readily appreciated that the hydraulic unit maintains a column of oil ahead of the'pis'ton and that this oil sustains the sudden increase in load which results when the drill breaks through the workpiece. This mode of operation substantially eliminates breakage of the drill at the end of the drilling operation. Moreover, the unit maintains a uniform forward movement of the drill and spindle during the drilling operation.

The stroke or traverse of the spindle is regulated by a limit switch in circuit with the motor which rotatably drives the spindle. The limit switch is mounted for adjustment relative to a stop on the spindle and can thus be selectively positioned to regulate the axial movement of the latter.

As the spindle advances it compresses a spring. When the limit switch shuts off the motor, the centrifugally operated weights are rendered ineiiective and the compressed spring acts automatically to return the spindle to its initial or starting position.

For a more detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings and particularly to Fig. 1 wherein the drilling head A is shown attached at the upper end of a vertical column B mounted on a suitable base C. A workpiece supporting table D carried by the column B below the drilling head is vertically adjustable to selectively position a workpiece with respect to the latter.

Generically speaking, these parts are old in the art and are'cornbin'ed and correlated in the conventional manner. A suitable workpiece is placed on the table D and mechanism in the drilling head A is adapted to advance 'a rotatably driven drill or the like toward "the workpiece.

As suggested, the instant invention is concerned primarily with the drilling head and attention is now directed to Fig.2 which shows this portion of the drill press in detail. A rotatable and reciprocable spindle it extends vertically through a housing #2 and the projecting lower end thereof is equipped with a suitable chuck f4 adapted 'to receive a drill it in the conventional manner.

The spindle is is'suppo'rted at the top or the housing l2 by a bearing [8 and at the bottom of v .screw, or the like (not shown).

The housing 12 includes an integral, laterally extending web 42 which terminates in a vertical sleeve 44. The latter surrounds the upper portion I of the column B and is connected thereto by a set A motor 46 having a vertically extending drive shaft 48 is attached to the column B behind the housing A by forwardly extending arms 50 and bolts 52. A driving "connection is established between the motor at and spindle ID by an endless belt 54 which extends around the pulleys 56 and 58 carried by the spindle l0 and driveshaft 48, respec tively. These pulleys are preferably the so-called step or cone type so that the spindle H] can be rotatably driven at different predetermined speeds. Pulley 56 surmounts housing [2 and is provided with inwardly extending keys which enter keyways 60 and 62 in the spindle l0.

Attached to the housing I2 by bolts 63 is a shield 64 which extends in front and at both'sid'e's of the pulley 56 to protect a person using the device from contact with the pulley or in the event belt 54 breaks.

As will be readily understood thekeyways fifl and 62 rotatably connect spindle l0 and pulley 5'6 but permit the former independently to move axially through the pulley. Thus, when motor 46 is energized, the spindle 10 is constantly rotated at a speed determined by the position of endless belt 54 on the step pulleys 56 and 58. While being rotatably driven in this manner the spindle "l0 can move axially to advance or retract drill l6 relative to a workpiece supported by the table D.

Feeding means'in the form of centrifugally'operated weights 66 are provided for exerting projective pressure upon the spindle It. In the form of the invention here shown, three sets of weights 66 are provided in substantiallyequi spaced relation around the spindle; "however, any desired number of weights that can be mounted conveniently within the housing may be used. Each set of weights comprises a pair of vertically disposed, pivotally connected arms -68 and 1-0 which carry the weights 66, as best shown in Fig. 2. The latter are slidably associated with the arms and are held in -a selected adjusted ;position thereon by set screws 12 which enter sockets or indentations 14 provided-in the outer surfaces of the arms. Attheir distal ends'the arms 68 are pivoted to a-spider '1-6 securely attached to the spindle ll! immediately below the bearing 4'8 and the arms-l6 are pivotally attached to a collar 8i! carried by the hydraulic cylinder 22 and attached thereto bya'set screw 82. A coil spring 83 confined between the spider 16 and collar '80 normally urges the "spindle T0 upwardly to retract the drill t6.

'Itfwill be "observed that, when the spindle I1! is fully retracted, arms and T0 are-straightened, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 12. i-Iowever, when the spindle Ill isrotatablydriven, *the weights 66 are thrown oiitwardl y by centrifugal 'force to the posi-tioh showin b'y dot anddas'h lines in Fig. 2. When the-weights move Ito this position arms '68 and 10 advance the spindle mo and move the drill 116 toward the workpiece. Mani festly, when weights, -66 "are positioned to'gether and adjacent the pivot which conn'ect's arms 68 and 10, they generate 'a maximum feeding pressure upon the spindle '10 and the feeding pres sure can be reduced progressively by moving'the weights outwardly 'on' the arms; 3 Thisadjustment can be made easily by-first unscrewing set screws I2, sliding weights 66 to the desired position on the arms and then tightening the set screws. r

According to the present invention advancement of the spindle I0 is controlled hydraulically. It will be observed that the spindle extends axially through the hydraulic cylinder 22 and that the upper and lower ends of the latter are closed and rendered fluidtight by sealing rings 84 and 86. A piston 88 attached toand movable with the spindle I 0 is mounted to reciprocate within the cylinder 22. When spindle I0 is retracted the piston88 is disposed at the top o'f the cylinder 22 and the latter is of suflicient length to accommodate the piston during the full traverse of the spindle.

Cylinder 22 is filled with oil or other hydraulic fluid and the speed at which the spindle advances is governed by the rate at which fluid is displaced across the piston 88 through a valve controlled by-pass. The by-pass comprises a valve chamber 90 in the portion of spindle i8 which extends through piston 88 andlaterallyextending passages 92 and 94' which provide communication between the valve chamber and the .cylinder above and below the piston.- The upper passages 92 preferably open into channels or slots provided in the top of piston 88 so that the passages will not be closed by the top of the cylinder when the piston is in the raised position. Chamber 90 includes an upwardly tapered portion 96 which defines a valve seat and a ball valve 98 is normally urged upwardly against the seat by a coil spring I08 to close the by-pass. From the foregoing it Will be readily apparent that, when piston 88 wipingly engages the cylinder wall, spindle I0 can advance only as fast as liquid below the piston is displaced through the by-pass and that the rate of liquid displacement is determined by the distance valve 88 is spaced from its seat.

In order to selectively position valve 98 with respect to its seat an axial passage E82 is provided in the spindle I 0 above the valve chamber 90. Passage I02,opens through the top of spindle I0 and slidably accommodates a valve'stem I04. At its lower end valve stem I84 is provided with a longitudinal extension I06 of relatively small diameter which extension is adapted to engage the ball valve 98, and at its upper end valve stem I04 extends above the spindle I0 and carries an actuator thimble or knob I08. As best shown in Fig. 8 the valve stem m4 is threadedly connected to the spindle I0 at H0 and the knob I08 is fixed thereon. Thus, rotation of the knob I08 rotates the valve stem and, by reason of its threaded connection with the spindle, moves the stem axially to selectively position the ball valve 98 with respect to its seat. Knob I88 is provided with a depending skirt portion II2 which telescopes the restricted upper portion I I4 of a packing nut H6 threaded on the upper end of spindle I0. Packing H8 is compressed by the nut II6 in'the conventional manner to seal the joint between spindle I0 and valve stem I04 and the nut is fixed on the spindle by a lock nut I28. It will thus be apparent that the actuator knob I08 rotates relative to the packing nut I I6. An indicator mark I22 is therefore provided on the latter and correlated with suitable indicia I24 on the thimble to indicate the position of ball valve 98.

9-.Inpractice,'the'knob I08 is adjusted to selectively position the ball valve98 before the motor 46 is energized; This adjustment then controls the "rate'a't which fluid can be displaced acrossthe piston 88. Thus drill I6 is advanced at,

a constant speed and the speed is determined by the initial setting of knob I08. In this connection it will be observed that the valve stem I04 extends upwardly through a slot-I26 in guard 64 so that the actuator knob I08 is readily accessible for adjustment. This arrangement makes it possible to control the valve 98 manually from fluid is displaced. Since fluid is also displaced through the bypass in the piston during this portion of its travel, the spindle is advanced rela-- tively rapidly. However, as the flared portion I28 merges with the cylindrical lower portion of the: cylinder, fluid displacement is progressively limited to flow through the by-pass. As suggested. when piston 88 enters the cylindrical lower por; tion of the cylinder it wipingly engages therewith to limit fluid displacement entirely to the by-passso that the speed at which the spindle advances is then controlled by the position of valve 98.

It will be readily appreciated that a quick return is provided for the drill I6 since fluid is displaced rapidly by forcing ball valve 98 downwardly against the action of spring I00 to a wide open position. Thus, the ball valve 98 is forced away from its seat and valve stem I04 by hydraulic action of the fluid and the spindle I0 is retracted independently of the valve control means.

In order to limit the stroke or axial movement of drill I6, a limit switch I30 is connected in circuit with the motor 4-6. The limit switch I30 is mounted on asuitable bracket I32 which includes a downwardly extending stem portion I34. Stem I34 is slidably mounted in a bearing I36 provided in the top portion of web 44 and is held in a selected adjusted position by a manually operated thumbscrew I38. As best shown in Fig. 5, the thumbscrew extends through a lateral internally threaded opening I40 in bearing I36 and its inner end seats in a vertical groove I42 provided in stem I34. When the set screw I38 is loosened, bracket I32 can be vertically adjusted in bearing I36 and can be held in the properly adjusted position merely by tightening the thumbscrew against stem I34.

Bracket I32 also includes a pair of laterally spaced upwardly extending arms I44 between which the actuator arm I46 of limit switch I30 is pivoted. As best shown in Fig. 2, the distal end of actuator arm I 46 is disposed adjacent to the spindle I0 and in the path of a stop member I48 carried thereby. Stop member I48 is here shown in the form of a washer confined between packing nut H6 and lock nut I20 (Fig. 8). Thus, when bracket I32 is adjusted actuator arm I46 is moved relative to washer I48.

When drill I6 is advanced toward the workpiece. washer I48 approaches the actuator arm I46 and when it engages therewith limit switch I 30 is 09- erated to shut ofi motor 46. As soon as motor 48 ceases to drive spindle I0 the centrifugally operated weights 66 are rendered inefiective and spring quickly setraets the snimils to the-initial o sta tin nest-hon.

It s to he understood that the form of the. in: -venti n er w th shown and described is to be taken as e preferred exampleoi the same and r that various cha ges in the si e, shepezand e i'eneemeht of parts mayhereso ted to without ne par ng fr m the piri of the invent on or he scope of the pp nded c aims.

havin thus des ribedthe invention, we eleim;

1. In a drill press, a support; -a,.rotatable and reciprooable spindle ca ied by the support and adapted. to move .a cutting tool relative .to a work,- piece; means for rotatahly driving said spindle; mechanism including centrifugally "operated Weights for moving said spindle axially toward the workpiece; and-hydraqlitmeans for controlling the rate .at which the snindle is moved topiece; means for rotetably drivin said spindle;

mechanism including .centrifuge ly operated weights for moving said spindle exieilytowerd the workpiece; and hydraulic queens 'for controliing the rate at which the spindle :is moved toward the workpiece, said hydraliiie "means com-prisjngen oil chamber, ,episton in-said ehember,

msenseennectin tthe niston to the s indl means n din sen adinstable-valve membe to: e teb= :lishiee eomm meetion across said pi ton and mechan sm .eontreiled fr maid shin le fer ed- ;usting valve memb r and re ulatin t ret of fluid displaeemente toss'the piston,

e idrili press having, in sombineti n support; a, rotatable and reciprocable spindle a ri d by the support end ada t d to mo e. a cuttin to relative to a worlspie ei an le triselly one. ted erivem ensfer retetabl ct a me aid snindie; ezplurelity of centrif a11ye tasted weights for advancin the s nsile axi l y; it manually regulated i'hydreu ie means coact withthe ssindie to control the-rat at whi h the latter is .admneed; a stop member car i d by the spindle; and aswitch in .ci-rsuit with said ele trically o erated drive means mounted for adihstment nelative-tgggid stopcmember.

"GEORGE :HQHWART.

F. HOI-IWART. RAUL A.- SMITH.

REFERENQES TE The showing references are of record in the file of this patent-z UNITED $TA E A ENT Number "Name Date 897,676 Thompson Sept. '1, 1 908 1,069,995 Anderson Aug. 12, 1913 2,280,115 Broderset a1. Apr. 21, 1942 OREIGN v-PA'.l' 1 'l'$ Number flountry Date 513,635 #Enance V Nov. 4, 1920 

